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Apply now for Commissioner's Custody Volunteer SchemePublished 20/05/2016
Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire David Lloyd is on the lookout for additional members to join his volunteering team carrying out important checks on the county’s police custody suites. Applications are now open for the Commissioners’ Independent Custody Visiting Scheme, which monitors conditions in police custody to provide transparency and increase public confidence in police services.
The scheme is currently recruiting for 25 open positions to bolster its dedicated existing team of volunteers. Under the Police Reform Act 2002, all police authorities are required to run a custody visiting scheme. The scheme gives the public reassurance that detainees are being treated fairly by carrying out independent checks on their welfare at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable or confused, as well as looking out for issues around cleanliness and maintenance of custody suites.
The scheme has a dedicated existing team of volunteers covering the county’s two custody suites in Hatfield and Stevenage. Volunteers make unannounced visits to custody in pairs twice a week, during the day and night, seven days a week. Once on site the volunteers carry out a number of checks and file a report based on their findings for further action. Volunteers are expected to carry out a minimum of four visits to the custody suites per annum and attend twice-yearly panel meetings to discuss key issues raised.
Administration of the scheme is the responsibility of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, who also recruit and train volunteers. Other volunteer opportunities available relate to police dog welfare and scrutiny of police stop and search powers. Additional schemes in community road speeding are also carried out in partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary.
Commissioner Lloyd says the work of volunteers within these schemes is an essential part of his role in holding the police to account. He said: “Our ICV’s provide essential, unbiased, impartial observations which offer a unique insight into the day-to-day running of Hertfordshire’s custody suites. The findings from these visits are there for the benefit of detainees and police in equal measure, providing a direct, grass roots point of access to gather information and take action when required.
“With many of our current volunteers celebrating milestones in service, I am thankful to each and every one for taking their time to take such an important role. I look forward to welcoming additional new volunteers to reflect the full demographic of the county and offer a fresh perspective on existing procedure.”
Further information on the scheme, the role and the necessary application forms are available on the Commissioner’s website at http://hertscommissioner.org/independent-custody-visiting-hertfordshire.
The scheme is currently recruiting for 25 open positions to bolster its dedicated existing team of volunteers. Under the Police Reform Act 2002, all police authorities are required to run a custody visiting scheme. The scheme gives the public reassurance that detainees are being treated fairly by carrying out independent checks on their welfare at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable or confused, as well as looking out for issues around cleanliness and maintenance of custody suites.
The scheme has a dedicated existing team of volunteers covering the county’s two custody suites in Hatfield and Stevenage. Volunteers make unannounced visits to custody in pairs twice a week, during the day and night, seven days a week. Once on site the volunteers carry out a number of checks and file a report based on their findings for further action. Volunteers are expected to carry out a minimum of four visits to the custody suites per annum and attend twice-yearly panel meetings to discuss key issues raised.
Administration of the scheme is the responsibility of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, who also recruit and train volunteers. Other volunteer opportunities available relate to police dog welfare and scrutiny of police stop and search powers. Additional schemes in community road speeding are also carried out in partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary.
Commissioner Lloyd says the work of volunteers within these schemes is an essential part of his role in holding the police to account. He said: “Our ICV’s provide essential, unbiased, impartial observations which offer a unique insight into the day-to-day running of Hertfordshire’s custody suites. The findings from these visits are there for the benefit of detainees and police in equal measure, providing a direct, grass roots point of access to gather information and take action when required.
“With many of our current volunteers celebrating milestones in service, I am thankful to each and every one for taking their time to take such an important role. I look forward to welcoming additional new volunteers to reflect the full demographic of the county and offer a fresh perspective on existing procedure.”
Further information on the scheme, the role and the necessary application forms are available on the Commissioner’s website at http://hertscommissioner.org/independent-custody-visiting-hertfordshire.
